First Aid for Your First Aid Kit
Has it been a while since you’ve checked or re-stocked your first aid kit? If so, now is the time to throw out any expired medicines, stock up on those that are safe for your kids, clean up all those bandage wrappers and refill the cotton swabs. Being prepared, especially in the winter months when kids are more likely to catch illnesses, will save you from a mad dash to find a 24-hour drugstore.
Items to stock in your first aid kit
These are the essentials you should have in your first aid kit:
Cold remedies
If your best prevention efforts have been foiled and your child is sick, at least you'll have medications to keep her comfortable and sleeping soundly. Check your first aid cabinet and dispose of outdated items, then re-supply with:
- Decongestant/cough suppressant to drain sinuses and stop overnight coughs. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are not safe for children less than 4 years of age.
- Saline nose drops to relieve congestion.
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not aspirin for children 17 years and younger) to relieve fever or headache: For babies use Infant’s Acetaminophen Oral Suspension and for children use Children’s Acetaminophen Liquid. See our Tylenol/Acetaminophen Alert! for more information.
- Throat lozenges to relieve irritation during the day.
- Petroleum jelly to apply to raw noses and lips.
Burn treatment
Spilled hot foods and liquids are the single most common cause of burns in children. Prevent injuries by using back burners as much as possible and by keeping pot handles turned away from the front. Be prepared to treat minor burns with cold running water, cold compresses or an ice pack wrapped in a towel.
To relieve discomfort from minor burns, stock the first aid kit with:
- Aloe gel, which stops the burning sensation
- Break-and-shake ice packs for travel
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain (please use as directed)
- Seek immediate medical care for burns that are more than 3 inches in size or appear to involve multiple layers of skin
Poisoning treatment
In case of accidental poisoning, call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
First aid basics
These basic building blocks of any first aid kit should include:
- Pediatric electrolyte replacement drink (such as Pedialyte®) to restore fluids for infants and toddlers with diarrhea
- Anti-diarrheal medicine (such as Imodium®) to control diarrhea (for kids older than 2 years)
- Motion sickness prevention medication (such as Dramamine®) (for kids older than 2 years)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Adhesive tape
- Elastic bandage
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hydrogen peroxide to disinfect wounds
- Assorted adhesive and gauze bandages
- Digital thermometer
- Hand sanitizer
- Baggies to dispose of contaminated materials
- Scissors, tweezers and a needle
- Assorted safety pins
- Calamine lotion
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Bulb suction device for flushing out wounds
- Cotton balls and cotton swabs
- Disposable latex or synthetic gloves. If your child is allergic to latex, stock up on latex-free bandages, elastic bandages and gloves
Reviewed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD
Date: February 2012
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